‘Something I’ve never seen before’: Chris Scott erupts as Cats capitulate

The normally cool and calm coach of the reigning AFL premiers has erupted at three-quarter time in scenes that left commentators stunned.

Chris Scott was showing the strain of the season. Photo: Fox Sports

Port Adelaide are on top of the ladder after a 16.14 (110) to 11.6 (72) win over the Geelong — and it’s clear the defending premiers are starting to feel the pressure.

The Cats were dubbed Dad’s Army last year as they romped to the flag with some of the team’s elder statesmen turning up to Mad Monday celebrations in a retirement bus with costumes to match.

But while the side seemed ageless in 2022, it’s now seeming old and tired in 2023.

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Dropping to 6-7 for the season, Geelong could drop as low as 12th on the ladder after 13 matches this season after the round has played out.

And coming up against Port Adelaide, who are out to an 11-game winning streak, the Cats were humbled after a strong start.

The Cats led by 20 at quarter time and were 19 behind late in the second before two late goals made it a seven-point game.

Patrick Dangerfield booted the first of the third quarter, but from there it was all Port Adelaide.

Seven straight goals turned the game on its head with Port taking a 17-point lead into the final quarter — but only after the Cats kicked the final 13 points of the term.

Having dominated the first half, Chris Scott was far from happy, blowing up in the three-quarter time huddle.

Chris Scott was fuming. Photo: Fox Sports

He then singled out his star forward Jeremy Cameron, who had just 1.1 for the match.

While the goal moves him to 39 for the season and outright possession of second on the Coleman Medal ladder, it was a quiet night for the forward, who had just two more disposals in the final quarter.

Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones said Scott was “quite agitated” in the huddle.

David King said Port Adelaide had made the Cats look “second rate in that quarter”.

“I can understand why he’s angry because they’re a proud football club and they don’t like being beaten like that with absolute toughness,” King said.

But when he gave Cameron a talking to, Jones said: “That’s impressive vision there from the reigning premiers’ coach to one of the superstars in the competition. Obviously he wants to see a lot more from Jeremy Cameron.”

King replied: “Well, you don’t see Chris Scott animated like that, he’s normally very measured, very calm. He needs a response in this last quarter. He can feel their season sliding. There’s no doubt about that. They need to make a statement.”

Cameron knew it wasn't his night. Photo: Fox Sports

And with 10 matches left this season, including Melbourne next week and games ahead against the likes of the Lions at the Gabba, the return fixture against Port Adelaide in round 21 and Collingwood in round 22, Scott knows he’s running out of time to inspire his side.

King believes the Cats will have to win seven of their last 10 to feature in September, saying it was “a stiff ask”.

“At three-quarter time, I think Chris Scott showed us the stress of this campaign,” King said.

“It was all on the line in the last quarter, he went to a couple of his stars and for whatever reason, it didn’t turn.

“He knows that things are at the desperation stage. To see him gesture like this with Jeremy Cameron is something I’ve never seen before. That’s raw emotion, that’s absolutely genuine.”

If the Cats finish outside the top eight, they will join the 2009 Hawks, 2017 Bulldogs and 2021 Tigers as the fourth premiers to miss the finals.

Originally published as ‘Something I’ve never seen before’: Chris Scott erupts as Cats capitulate